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NDSU Calf Backgrounding and Feeding Seminar Series Set

The cost of feeding is a major factor when deciding whether to feed calves or sell them at weaning. (NDSU photo)

Backgrounding calves may be a profitable option.

With drought, lack of hay and volatile market prices, North Dakota cattle producers are faced with difficult choices.

One option is to add value to the calves by feeding them in North Dakota instead of selling them. To address this issue, the North Dakota State University Extension Service is holding a series of local seminars on feeding and backgrounding calves and cow feed management.

“Backgrounding calves is a margin business,” says Karl Hoppe, area Extension livestock systems specialist at the NDSU Carrington Research Extension Center. “When the cost of gain is lower than the value of the gain, feeding calves works. However, feed costs are so variable in North Dakota. Freight cost becomes a huge issue, and the cost of shipping feed is figured into the cost of gain.

“With the drought, the cost of forage is quite high,” he adds. “That’s contrary to the grain prices, which are fairly low.”

John Dhuyvetter, area Extension livestock systems specialist at the NDSU North Central Research Extension Center near Minot, notes, “Rations with higher inclusions of grain or coproducts result in higher average daily gain and improved feed conversion. This might make cattle-feeding budgets profitable. It’s time to figure your costs.”

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